Tasi To Table officers, board members, advisors, interns, and student members pose for a photo during “Night with TTT” on Thursday at Aqua Resort Club’s Rey Lounge.
MHS student Leilani Attao shares her experience with Tasi To Table during “Night with TTT” on Thursday at Aqua Resort Club’s Rey Lounge.
TASI To Table on Thursday hosted their third “Evening with TTT” at Aqua Resort Club’s Rey Lounge to celebrate the organization’s third year and its mission to educate the youth on the importance of sustainable management of marine resources and conservation of land and sea.
TTT President Gene Weaver, Office Manager Marita Iglecias, Marianas High School student Leilani Attao and Da’ok Academy student Nathan Bauleong shared their experiences with the organization.
In attendance were TTT’s other officers, board members, student members, interns and representatives of the organization’s partners and sponsors.
In his opening remarks, Weaver emphasized that the event was to “show our appreciation to our sponsors, to our supporters, our contributors, and volunteers. Without them, we wouldn’t be sitting here tonight and enjoying this evening.”
Weaver said they faced challenges, especially during the last part of last year. “It kind of carried on to the beginning of this year. But with the hard work of our board, our officers, and our volunteers, we accomplished what we set out to do for this year,” he added.
Weaver also acknowledged the importance of the advisors from each participating school.
“What motivates these students are our advisors and without them, who knows maybe our numbers wouldn’t be where it is today,” he said.
Each year the number of students joining TTT has increased, and in its third year, 122 students have enrolled in the program.
“I can only see it growing more so I would like to again thank and recognize our advisors in these schools who put in their time,” Weaver said.
Fun experience
In their remarks, MHS student Leilani Attao and Da’ok Academy student Nathan Bauleong expressed their appreciation for TTT.
“One benefit [of joining TTT] that spoke the most to me would be the academics,” Attao said. “I knew that it would definitely boost my grade so I took a chance.”
She was very new to fishing, “but this changed,” she said. “At first, we learned about different types of fishing, and the environment, and then we started to set up our own derby.”
Attao said they got to meet other students and fishermen, “and we understood why they wake up so early just to get out on the open water. It was a fun experience because I got to learn more about fishing. I got to bring my own fish home and share them with my family and tell them about my experiences. I got my own personal trolling experience — it was a very fun time because it was the first time I actually ever went on a boat to go fishing and go off island.”
Bauleong, who recounted his experience with TTT through videos and photos, believes that joining the organization was one of the “greatest decisions” he has made.
Thank you
TTT, for its part, would like to thank their partners and sponsors: Marpac Inc., Chong’s Corporation, Western Pacific Maritime Academy, Bank of Saipan, Swim for Life CNMI, the Public School System, Mobil, Talaya Club, Fishing Tackle & Sporting Goods, Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, Roil Soil, Bridge Capital LLC, Marianas Variety, McDonald’s Saipan & Guam, KKMP, URTents, Marianas Islands Nature Alliance, Atkins Kroll, Island Image & Motion, 500 Sails, Marianas Alliance of Non-Government Organizations, the Division of Fish & Wildlife, EFC Services Corporation, Yamaha, IT&E and Coral Reef Marine Center Guam.
